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April is the month where we really make the transition to spring. Cold days remind us of winter, but the sun will prevail. Many of us take note of the buds on the trees and think about how our yards, and perhaps gardens, need a lot of work. Don’t be too quick to “clean up”. Lexington Living Landscapes reminds us that there are little critters still waking up in those leaf patches. If we wait, they will emerge as pollinators and other beneficial insects.
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April is a great time to appreciate nature's reawakening and think about our climate. This issue is full of information on how we can work with our climate and the importance of healthy lawns, trees and native species in maintaining a healthy world. The “official” Earth Day is on April 22, but we all know that every day is really “Earth Day”. In keeping with this, LexCAN, Mothers Out Front, Lexington Zero Waste Coalition and others are preparing for an event called “Earth Day in May”, on May 14. Please read on to learn how you can get involved and save the date!
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The Town of Lexington is active as always with conservation and transportation events and Energize Lexington is promoting a zoom event on Electric Cars. Lexington Farmers' Market has its last “winter markets” in April and LexFarm is gearing up its seedling sale and summer programs. Much to enjoy and more to look forward to!
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In This Issue – April 2022:
- "Forest/Tree" Presentations, 4/5, 4/13
- "Electric Vehicle Virtual Showcase", 4/12
- "Pressuring Corporations on Climate Change", 4/14
- "Earth Day in May", 5/14 - Save the Date, Help Out
- Rep. Michelle Ciccolo on Climate Issues, 4/11
- LexFarm Seedlings Sale, Youth Program
- Winter Farmers' Market, 4/2, 4/16
- "Native Plants for Your Garden", 4/20
- "Kill Your Lawn!", 5/11
- Help Document Lexington Wildlife, 4/29-5/2
- Help Conservation Stewards @ Dunback Meadow, 4/23
- "Bike Commuting Basics", 4/30
- "Smart Cycling" (Age 16+), 4/30
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Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 7:00PM
Virtual Event: Zoom link here
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Our April meeting will be on Tuesday, April 5th. Nancy Sofen, from the Tree Committee will be speaking to us on trees and their many benefits, including carbon sequestration. Trees are our one of our best natural climate solutions!
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Nancy’s talk will be followed up by a Q&A session.
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The Forest and the Trees: The Climate Solutions in Your Own Backyard
Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 7:00-8:00PM
Virtual Event: Register here
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Join us on Wednesday, April 13th 7:00 – 8:00 PM for a virtual screening of the 14-minute film "Forests," from the acclaimed series “Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops,” followed by a panel discussion.
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Following the screening, “Climate Emergency” producer/writer Bonnie Waltch and a compelling panel of scientific experts and community activists will discuss the challenges and actions being taken to protect forests globally and close to home – and give you tips on what you can do in your community to help address these challenges. Sabrina Shankman, climate reporter for The Boston Globe, will moderate. Joining Sabrina will be Susan Masino, Vernon D. Roosa Professor of Applied Science at Trinity College; Janet Sinclair, co-founder of Save Massachusetts Forests; and David Meshoulam, co-founder and executive director of Speak for the Trees Boston.
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Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 7:00-8:15PM
Virtual Event: Register here
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It’s a new day for electric cars, with lots of new models and extended range.
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Curious about the options? Come explore the 2022-23 models with the Green Energy Consumers Alliance and their Drive Green Team. There will be lots of time for Q&A.
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Register here and we’ll send you a link to the online presentation.
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Climate Coffee Break with Mothers Out Front:
Pressuring Corporations on Climate Change
Thursday, April 14, 2022, 12:00-12:30PM
Virtual Event: Register here
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Learn how Mothers Out Front is pressuring businesses to adopt policies and practices that reduce, rather than perpetuate, the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.
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Sue Stafford and Toby Woll of our Corporate Responsibility Action Group will describe the group’s efforts and introduce us to “Stop the Money Pipeline,” a campaign to cut off funding for companies contributing to climate destruction. Then we’ll take a brief action.
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Earth Day in May! - Saturday, May 14th
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LexCAN, Mothers Out Front and many others are co-hosting a town-wide celebration of ways we can support life on Planet Earth on Saturday, May 14th.
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We know many Lexington residents have already taken action in support of sustainable living practices. Yet other residents are not sure how to get started. Still others want to expand their practices.
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What better way to learn than to see first-hand what our neighbors are doing in their homes?
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Looking For a Few Green Homes...
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We are looking for residents willing to have people stop by their homes to see their practice in action.
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- Heat pumps
- Native gardens
- Solar panels
- Electric car and charging set-up
- Beehive
- Composting set-up
- Anything that's sustainable, resilient, and "green"
Your share needn't be elaborate, nor do you need to be an expert. We just want to support each other as we transition to more sustainable living.
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Do you have a green project or accomplishment you could show off? Please click here and sign up!
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On May 14th we will also have a “hub” in front of the Visitor’s Center from 11AM – 3PM, where Revision Energy will be showing off their "Tiny Classroom" where they have a small home with heat pumps and solar, etc. and they do some education. There will be other tables and some fun activities and hopefully music!
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This event is co-hosted with LexCAN, Mothers Out Front/Lexington, LPS Green Teams and LexZeroWaste Collaborative.
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If you want to help organize, publicize, show your home or represent your organization at the “hub” write to [email protected]
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"11th Hour Calling" Bell Ringing and Talk
Monday, April 11, 2022, 11:00AM
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
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Representative Michelle Ciccolo will be the featured speaker on April 11th at 11am for First Parish’s Climate Action Team’s monthly 11th Hour Calling, a national interfaith program to sound a climate change emergency alarm.
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Representative Ciccolo has taken a leadership role on climate change initiating and supporting legislation to transition to clean and renewable electricity, heating, transportation and to control and eliminate the health and environmental dangers of plastics.
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Her support of key housing and climate justice initiatives reflects her deep values to promote equity and justice through progressive policy changes.
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This month’s 11th Hour Calling will also feature music by Rip Jackson, First Parish’s Director of Music.
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LexFarm's Organic Seedling Sale Is Online
LexFarm is offering a pre-season sale of their beautiful organic seedlings. The greenhouse is full of sprouts - herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and much more. All varieties are for sale in their online store and will be ready for pickup at their farm stand at 52 Lowell St. in late May.
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This year, you can also order essential and farmer-approved gardening supplies - compost, fertilizer, pest protection and more. They can be ordered now and will for pickup with your seedlings in late May. Don't wait!
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Youth Educational Programs at LexFarm
LexFarm education programs offer hands-on learning and play opportunities in a beautiful farm setting. We focus on sustainability, gardening and farming, seasonal cycles, and respect for nature. In our classes, children explore, observe, discover, plant, weed, water, harvest, play, sing, cook, and visit the animals at neighboring Silk Fields Farm! Classes are offered spring and summer for children ages 2-8.
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See LexFarm’s website for availability and times.
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The Final Month of the Winter Market! Come See Us April 2nd and 16th
The Small Yet Mighty Winter Market has returned, back home at the Waldorf School in Lexington! The new season comes with so much good news, including an exciting line-up of vendors featuring your favorites from the regular season. Masks will be required for all those attending the market including vendors and market staff, and capacity limits will be maintained, with a covered spot outdoors for those waiting for entrance.
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The LFM will be open biweekly every other Saturday from 11 – 2 pm, April 2 & 16, and is located at the Waldorf School, 739 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington with free parking available.
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The LFM is a producer-only market, ensuring that what you find is fresh and local, sustainably raised and carefully crafted by the farmers and vendors of the LFM. Each week, there will be up to ten farmers and vendors participating, with occasional guest vendors. The LFM accepts SNAP and HIP; the LFM’s SNAP program matches up to $15 weekly and HIP can be used at Farmer Dave’s for fruit and vegetable purchases.
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In addition to free parking onsite, the Waldorf School is accessible on MBTA Bus Route 62 and 76. Visit www.lexingtonfarmersmarket.org to read more about the Small Yet Mighty Winter Market. For the most up-to-date information, “like” us on Facebook (The Lexington Farmers’ Market) and for fun, follow us on Instagram (@lexingtonfarmersmarket). For questions, email [email protected]
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Check out our website for who will be at the market this season.
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Lexington Living Landscapes, Lexington Field and Garden Club and Cary Library invite you to...
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Native Plants for Your Garden
a presentation by Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, Native Plant Trust
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Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 7:00-8:30PM
Virtual Event: Register here
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For those who care about the natural world, the decision to plant natives in the garden is one of the most impactful and important choices we can make. Native plants have the power to heal our landscapes, welcome wildlife into our gardens, and inspire us.
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Please join Uli Lorimer, Native Plant Trust’s Director of Horticulture, for a presentation highlighting our region’s spectacular plant diversity and varied habitats.
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With so much under threat from a changing climate, invasive species, habitat loss and fragmentation, and declining numbers of birds and insects, planting natives in your garden is one step we can each take to make a difference.
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In his role at Native Plant Trust, Uli oversees the facilities and operations at Garden in the Woods and at Nasami Farm. He has 20 years of experience working with native plants in public gardens, including Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the US National Arboretum. Uli’s upcoming book, The Northeast Native Plant Primer to be published in May, provides a roadmap to help you include native plants in your garden whether you are new to gardening or a seasoned professional.
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Kill Your Lawn! (Save the Date/NEW DATE)
a presentation by Dan Jaffe Wilder, Director of Applied Ecology, Norcross Wildlife Foundation
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Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 7:00 - 8:30PM
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Virtual Event: Register here.
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Every house in America should be fronted with a non-native monoculture with the maintenance requirements of a golf course and the ecological value of a strip mine; a place where all flowers are called weeds and signs essentially saying “keep off” are the norm.
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Does that idea seem a bit odd to you? It’s time to take a second look at this idea we call lawn.
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Join Dan Jaffe Wilder, co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens and Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation, to learn about the various options available to us, from whole lawn replacement to strategies for managing existing lawn in more ecologically beneficial ways. From well-known plants to brand new introductions, we will discuss various options that fit the needs of various lawn spaces.
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Dan Jaffe Wilder is an ecologist, horticulturist, and botanist with over fifteen years of experience working with native plants and their associated ecology. His work has ranged from classrooms to nurseries to botanical gardens to wildlife refuges, specializing in native plant ecology, propagation, wildlife habitat construction, and native edible landscapes. Dan is currently the Director of Applied Ecology for the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, whose mission is to protect, enhance, and expand wildlife through conservation, education, and support.
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Join us for a fascinating evening. Hosted in partnership with Cary Memorial Library. Co-sponsored by the Lexington Conservation Division.
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City Nature Challenge (CNC) Observations Needed!
Lexington is officially participating in the 2022 City Nature Challenge (yay!). This is a WORLDWIDE event where we will document as many wild organisms as possible between April 29th- May 2nd.
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Just take photos via the iNaturalist app! All observations during the timeframe within Lexington will be counted!
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Learn how to use iNaturalist:
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- Saturday 4/23 9-11 Dunback Meadow(Allen Street entrance)
- Sunday 4/24 12-2 PM Willard's Woods (North Street entrance)
- Friday 4/29 4-6 PM at Whipple Hill (Summer St entrance)
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Stewardship Saturday: Volunteer Work and Camaraderie
Next Event: Clean Up Old Garden Site
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Saturday, April 23, 2022, 9:00AM - 12:00PM
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At Dunback Meadow - Old Community Garden Site
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Join the Conservation Stewards to clean up the old community garden site at Dunback Meadow. Park along Pitcairn Place and meet at the trailhead (across from 23 Allen Street). We will provide all tools and know how just bring work gloves, appropriate clothing (e.g. long pants, no open toed shoes), and a willingness to work!
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Event Leaders: Holly Samuels and Bonnie Newman
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Bike Commuting Basics
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Saturday, April 30, 2022, 10:00-11:00AM
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Virtual Event: Register here.
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Do you aspire to start using your bike more often for your work commute or milk run? In this session we'll cover what you need to know to ride more safely, comfortably and joyfully. The focus will be on practical tips to help make biking your first choice of transportation more often! We’ll cover:
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- Choosing the right bike
- How to arrive at work still looking sharp
- Helpful gear for carrying items for varying weather, and night riding
- How and where to lock your bike
- Basic bike maintenance
- Rules for the road & more!
Smart Cycling (Ages 16+)
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Saturday, April 30, 2022, 1:00-4:30PM
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Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd
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Gain skill and confidence in bicycling! Learn rules of the road, safety tips, practice handling skills, understand best bike fit, helmet fit, basics of bike maintenance, and enjoy an escorted on-bike road ride with others looking to build their cycling confidence!
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Bring helmet, bike, and closed-toe shoes. Class is led by a seasoned Certified Cycling Instructor.
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Upcoming Events for May (Bike Month!)
We also have a bunch of events coming up for May, which is Bike Month!
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We are seeking families who routinely walk, bike, or scoot to school to reach out to us and consider being Ambassadors as part of May 4th Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day! Anyone interested is encouraged to reach out to: Susan Barrett, Safe Routes to School Coordinator/Transportation Manager: [email protected]
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Any & all students/parents are encouraged to give active transportation a try on this or any day!
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Public Meetings for MBTA Capital Investment Plan (FY23-27)
If you're interested in public transportation investment plans for our town and area, this is your chance to learn and to share your views.
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There are two virtual public meetings coming up related the MBTA Capital Investment Plan (FY2023-FY2027):
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Would you like to submit an environmental event or activity?
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Please forward to your network!
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